What is a Trisagion and how is it performed?
A Trisagion is a prayer service performed by a priest and it happens immediately following the death or on the night before the funeral. A Trisagion may also occur at the gravesite after the service and on memorial days set by the church. The prayers are lead by a priest in a call-and-response format.
What is a Greek Orthodox Trisagion?
The Trisagion is a request for mercy for the deceased and for everyone who is still living. The services usually include a wake and funeral mass in a church. Like many conservative Christian religions, cremation is not allowed. The Greek Orthodox Church believes in the resurrection of the body and views cremation as a sin.
What is the Trisagion in the Byzantine Rite?
In churches which use the Byzantine Rite, the Trisagion is chanted immediately before the Prokeimenon and the Epistle reading. It is also included in a set of prayers named for it, called the Trisagion Prayers, which forms part of numerous services (the Hours, Vespers, Matins, and as part of the opening prayers for most services).
What is the opening line of the Trisagion?
The Trisagion (Greek: τρισάγιον Thrice Holy), sometimes called by its opening line Agios O Theos, is a standard hymn of the Divine Liturgy in most of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches.
What is a Greek Trisagion?
The Trisagion (Greek: Τρισάγιον; 'Thrice Holy'), sometimes called by its opening line Agios O Theos, is a standard hymn of the Divine Liturgy in most of the Eastern Orthodox, Western Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic churches.
What happens in a Greek Orthodox Church service?
There is Movement Before and During Worship It is preceded by an hour and a half service called Matins (or Orthros). There is no break between these services, one begins as soon as the previous ends. Matins is comprised of readings from the book of Psalms, the Gospel, and has many hymns.
What is a Greek Orthodox funeral service called?
Trisagion service The prayers are lead by a priest in a call-and-response format. The family members and the church community attend. The first Trisagion can take place in the home of the deceased or at the funeral home.
What do Greeks give when someone dies?
In Greek culture, it is believed that the soul does not leave the body until three days after a person dies. Because of this, the family will visit the grave three days after the death for a small ceremony where a priest blesses a plate of koliva, scatters it to the wind, and then breaks the plate on the tombstone.
Why can't you cross your legs in Greek church?
Don't Cross Your Legs In the eyes of the church, this represents a form of arrogance that stands in the way of our relationship to God. Since a lot of people aren't aware of this thinking, people tend to cross their legs without realizing that it is considered improper.
What do I wear to the Greek Orthodox Church?
Modest dresses and blouses (avoid low-cut necklines or open backs) Sleeves (no sleeveless tops, unless you wear a sweater to cover the shoulders) Knee-length skirts or longer. Clean dress pants.
Do you wear black to a Greek funeral?
It is typical for mourners to avoid gatherings for the first forty days after the death occurs and also only wear black clothing during that time. Greek Orthodox widows usually wear black for two years. Memorial services are held on the Sunday closest to the fortieth day after the death.
Why do Greek Orthodox not get cremated?
For decades the Greek Orthodox Church had strongly opposed cremation, saying the body is God's creation and cannot be burned.
Is it appropriate to send flowers to a Greek Orthodox funeral?
Flowers are a wonderful gift to a grieving family who follows the Greek Orthodox religion when you wish to express your condolences. White blooms are considered the best option and are chosen the most often. This may be because in many eastern traditions, white is the color of mourning.
How do you express sympathy in Greek?
You'd say "Τα συλλυπητήρια μου" (my condolences) and "Ζωή σε εσάς", literally "life to you".
What is the best condolence message?
My sincerest condolences for you at this time. You have my deepest sympathy and unwavering support. Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time.
What do you eat at Greek funeral?
Kolyva (or koliva) is a traditional dish made of wheat berries that is shared as part of memorial services in the Greek Orthodox church.
How long is a Greek church service?
However, the all-night vigil is usually abridged so as to not last literally "all-night" and may be as short as two hours; on the other hand, on Athos and in the very traditional monastic institutions, that service followed by the hours and Liturgy may last as long as 18 hours.
Can anyone go to an Orthodox church?
Visitors should not be offended that they are not allowed to receive Communion. It is important to know that communion is not given out as a means of hospitality. Anyone who is not Orthodox may receive holy communion if they wish to attend classes and convert to Orthodox Christianity.
Can anyone join the Greek Orthodox Church?
Anyone and everyone is welcome. Likely the most -famous convert of late would be below. There is no such thing as Greek Orthodox. There is the Eastern Orthodox Church, that accepts people regardless of origin, ethnicity, race, nationality, language and sex.
What does the Greek Orthodox Church believe?
Orthodoxy believes that God has revealed Himself to us, most especially in the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom we know as the Son of God. This Revelation of God, His love, and His purpose, is constantly made manifest and contemporary in the life of the Church by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Who is the resurrection, the life, and the repose of your departed servant?
Priest: For You are the resurrection, the life, and the repose of Your departed servant (s) (Name), Christ our God, and to You we offer glory, with Your eternal Father who is without beginning and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. People: Amen.
What are the liturgical texts of the Orthodox Church?
Liturgical Texts of the Orthodox Church. Priest: Blessed is our God always , now and forever and to the ages of ages . People: Amen. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3) Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
What does the priest pray?
People: Grant this, O Lord. Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Where do all your saints repose?
In Your place of rest, O Lord, where all Your Saints repose, give rest also to the soul (s) of Your servant (s), for You alone are immortal. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. You are our God who descended into Hades and loosened the pains of those who were held captive.
What does the Holy Trinity say about mercy?
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for the glory of Your name. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
What does the Greek phrase "Trisagion" mean?
Traditional origins. The Greek phrase Trisagion translates as "Thrice Holy" – as in this hymn God is described as holy in three different qualities; Agios o Theos means "Holy God". The hymn is of great antiquity, and perhaps much older than the event assigned by the Greek Menology as connected to its origin.
What is the Trisagion?
The Trisagion ( Greek: Τρισάγιον "Thrice Holy" ), sometimes called by its opening line Agios O Theos, is a standard hymn of the Divine Liturgy in most of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches .
What is the trisagion prayer?
During most services of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Trisagion is combined with several other prayers to form a unit, often called simply the Trisagion Prayers. This set of prayers forms part of the opening prayers of most services, and is also located within many of the Hours and daily cycle of services.
What is the Trisagion in the Armenian Rite?
In the Armenian Rite, used by the Armenian Orthodox Church and the Armenian Catholic Church, the Trisagion occurs early in the Divine Liturgy, coming after the troparion of the Monogenes (Only-begotten Son) and the Midday first Antiphon. The choir sings the Trisagion during the lesser entrance of the Gospel Books.
How many times is the Trisagion sung?
When the Trisagion is sung during the Divine Liturgy of the Byzantine Rite, before the Prokeimenon of the Gospel that precedes the Epistle reading, it is normally sung three times to one of many melodies composed for it. This is followed by singing Glory...
When is the Trisagion sung?
In the Latin liturgy. In the Latin Church, the main regular use of the Trisagion is on Good Friday, when it is sung during the ceremony of the Adoration of the Cross, in Popule meus. In the Sistine Chapel, the traditional setting was the polyphonic musical setting of Palestrina.
Where did the Trisagion originate?
The Coptic Orthodox Church and Armenian Apostolic Church believe that the Trisagion originated from Nicodemus. While taking the body of Christ off the cross with Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus saw Jesus Christ's eyes open and then shouted "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal".
Where is the Trisagion Service chanted?
The Trisagion Service, chanted at the funeral home or in the church on the evening before the funeral service and on the day of the funeral, at the graveside following the funeral service, and for memorial services.
What is the funeral service of the Orthodox Church?
The Funeral Service of the Orthodox Church is an example of how Orthodox theology influences the formation of a healthy understanding of the true nature of life and death. The Service accomplishes the following: a) utilizes the occasion of death to help us develop a more profound understanding of the meaning and purpose of life; b) helps us to deal with the emotions we have at the time of death and as time passes after the death; c) emphasizes the fact that death for the Christian is not the end, and affirms our hope in salvation and eternal life; d) recognizes the existence of the emotions of grief caused by the separation from a loved one, and encourages their expression.
What is a trisagion?
A Trisagion is a prayer service performed by a priest and it happens immediately following the death or on the night before the funeral. A Trisagion may also occur at the gravesite after the service and on memorial days set by the church.
Where does the Trisagion take place?
The family members and the church community attend. The first Trisagion can take place in the home of the deceased or at the funeral home. One of the lines recited is, "Holy God, holy and mighty, holy immortal one, have mercy upon us.".
How do Orthodox families prepare their bodies?
The family will help prepare the body in Eastern Orthodox practices. In other words, family members bathe and clothe the body immediately after death . This is often done with a priest present. The priest will bless the casket with holy water once the body is in the casket. Modern-day Orthodox families may opt to have the funeral home prepare the body for the wake.
What does the Greek Orthodox Church believe about death?
The Greek Orthodox Church believes that in life after death, the soul is reunited with the body and with Christ — and a deceased person hasn’t just died, he’s “fallen asleep.”.
How long is a Greek funeral?
A bit longer than the average funeral length, A Greek Orthodox funeral service is about 90 minutes long. The church ceremony is about one hour and the burial is about 30 minutes. A luncheon is optional and lasts around one to three hours.
How much do you donate to the Greek Orthodox Church?
Donations go straight to the Greek Orthodox church. The standard donation amount is $25 – $50. Some families may give more if they are members of the church.
Why is death important in Greek Orthodox tradition?
Greek Orthodox traditions are extremely intentional because death is a sacred passage. Death is approached with fearlessness and strong faith — and loved ones are memorialized even years after death.
Overview
Usage
When the Trisagion is sung during the Divine Liturgy of the Byzantine Rite, before the Prokeimenon of the Gospel that precedes the Epistle reading, it is normally sung three times to one of many melodies composed for it. This is followed by singing Glory... Now..., the second half of the Trisagion once, and finally the whole Trisagion a fourth time:
Holy God, Holy [and] Mighty, Holy [and] Immortal, have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy [and] Mighty…
Form of the prayer
The Trisagion prayer is an ancient prayer in Christianity.
In Greek:
Ἅγιος ὁ Θεός, Ἅγιος ἰσχυρός, Ἅγιος ἀθάνατος, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. Hágios ho Theós, Hágios iskhūrós, Hágios āthánatos, eléēson hēmâs.
In Latin:
History
The Greek phrase Trisagion translates as "Thrice Holy" – as in this hymn God is described as holy in three different qualities; Agios o Theos means "Holy God".
The hymn is of great antiquity, and perhaps much older than the event assigned by the Greek Menology as connected to its origin. The tradition recounts that during the reign of Theodosius II (408-450) Constantinople was shaken by a viol…
Other languages
Afrikaans:
Heilige God, Heilige Sterke, Heilige Onsterflike, Ontferm U oor ons.
Amharic (Ethiopia):
ቅዱስ ፡ እግዚአብሔር ፡ ቅዱስ ፡ ኃያል ፡ ቅዱስ ፡ ሕያው ፡ የማይሞት ፡ የማይለወጥ አቤቱ ፡ ይቅር ፡ በለን ። Qədus ʾƎgziäbḥer, Qədus Ḫayal, Qədus Ḥəyaw, Yämaymot, ʾÄbetu Yəqər Bälän.
Anti-Trisagion
Some services call for replacing the Trisagion with an alternative invocation known as an Anti-Trisagion. The variants of the hymn include:
• "Before Thy Cross we bow down in worship, Master, and we glorify Thy Holy Resurrection."
• "As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia." — from Galatians 3:27
Sources
• This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Agios O Theos". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
• This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Improperia". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
External links
• "Trisagion Prayer – Legion of Mary".
• "The Eucharistic Holy God (music score)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2015.